The examples such men as Harley C. Norris, efficient and popular county treasurer, furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. By a straightforward and commendable course he has made his \Aay to a respectable position m the affairs of Walworth county, winning the hearty admiration of the people and earning a reputation for industry, public spirit and wholesome living.
Mr. Norris was born in Sugar Creek township, this count) , on February 11, 1855. He is the son of John A. and Julia M. (Richardson) Norris, the former a native of England, his father being accidentally killed when he was a child, after which the lad was taken by his grandparents to raise. When seven years old he was brought to America and he grew to manhood in Ohio and there married Julia M. Richardson. She was a native of Connecticut, and when she was a young girl she accompanied her parents to Ravenna, Ohio, near Cleveland, where she lived until her marriage. John A. Norris and wife were among the very early settlers of Sugar Creek township, this county, and there they entered land from the government, established a good home where the family continued to reside until about 1868, when they moved to Elkhorn, where the father spent the rest of his life, having farmed up to his removal to the county seat. He engaged in the hardware business here the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1890, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1874. Back in the early days he took considerable interest in public affairs of his Community and held some of the local offices. After the death of his first wife he married Sarah Hickson and one child was born to them, Arthur J., who now lives at Madison, Wisconsin. Mrs. Norris also lives in that city.
By the first marriage of John A. Norris, five children were born, named as follows: John E. remained unmarried and died in California: William R. died unmarried in Elkhorn; Harley C, of this sketch; Daniel R. lives in the Ozark region in Missouri; Elizabeth is the wife of George B. Spoor and lives at Cordova, Illinois.
Harley C. Norris, of this sketch, spent his childhood on the farm. He was twelve years old when the family moved to Elkhorn. Here lie attended the public schools, and then began clerking” in his father’s hardware store, finally assuming the business and remaining there until 1904. For four years he was secretary of the Walworth County Agricultural Society. In the fall of 1908 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of county treasurer, which he now holds, discharging the duties of the same in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He has held a number of other offices, such as village treasurer of Elkhorn for four years, president of the village board of trustees, later mayor for two terms and he was city clerk for four years, in all of which he proved to be a most conscientious and faithful public official. He has also been in the county and local organizations of the Republican party.
Mr. Norris was married in 1879 to Alice W Allen, daughter of Lucius and Juliet (Barnes) Allen. She was born in East Troy, this county, where her parents had settled in an early day, coming here from Ohio. Mr. Allen as originally from Pawlet, Vermont, and Juliet Barnes was a native of Ohio. Mr. Allen was a descendant of the Brewsters of “Mayflower” fame. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Norris : Edwin L. born July, 1880, and Lucius A., born February 10, 1890. The former lives at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and is express messenger for the Wells Fargo Company; the latter is attending the State University. Fraternally, Harley C. Norris is a member of Masonic order, having attained the Knight Templar degree : he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen.
From: Beckwith, A.C. (1912). History of Walworth County Wisconsin